The Nespresso Cup returns to Portofino to renew the ultimate combination of performance and design

07 May 2011 |
Milan, ITALY –
Nestlé Nespresso S.A., the worldwide pioneer and reference for highest quality premium portioned coffee, and Wally, the world leader in yachting innovation, today announced the second edition of the Nespresso Cup, the international regatta exclusively for the Wally Class, taking place in Portofino in May 2011. The announcement was made together with Luca Bassani Antivari, President and Founder of Wally, and Nespresso Cup Ambassador and sailing legend Francesco de Angelis at the Yacht Club Italiano’s press conference which presented this season’s regattas.

The launch of the Nespresso Cup in 2010 brought together some of sailing’s most respected world-class sailors and leading Wally owners, to deliver one of the most aesthetically pleasing sailing regattas. Inspired by the same passion, Nespresso and Wally share a common approach of creative innovation, highest execution on quality, cutting-edge design and technology, delivering elegant but functional solutions. Together they have successfully created the Ultimate Cup. Last year during the first edition of the regatta the Wally yachts competed in challenging conditions in a series of races off Portofino, demonstrating their unique blend of style and cutting-edge design, with Magic Carpet2 securing the overall Nespresso Cup trophy.

From the 6th to 8th May 2011, the beautiful harbour of Portofino will be home once again to the participating Wally yachts.

“The spirit of the Wally Class is speed and enjoyment, perfectly embodied by last year’s Nespresso Cup,” said Luca Bassani, Wally President and Founder. “The first exclusively Wally regatta was the perfect blend of tight competition, very close starts, challenging weather, stylish organisation. Our passionate owners are enthusiastically coming back to compete again for the Ultimate Cup.” During this ultimate three-day event, Nespresso is delighted to welcome, as Ambassadors of the 2011 edition of the Nespresso Cup, an extraordinary group of sailing legends. Returning for a second year will be racing icons Loïck Peyron and Francesco De Angelis.

"I am honored and happy to be back as Ambassador of the 2011 Nespresso Cup,” commented Francesco De Angelis. “It is great to see this as an established event for the Wally class, after last year’s debut. We know that Portofino is a beautiful venue, so I look forward to race on these fabulous and fast yachts again. I expect the racing to be challenging and fun for everyone involved, on the water and on land."

Nespresso and Wally are delighted to also welcome two new sailing Ambassadors for the 2011 edition of the Nespresso Cup, Jochen Schümann and Samantha Davies. ”I’m looking forward to an exciting Nespresso Cup 2011. Nespresso and Wally are the perfect match as for me they both connect tradition, high technology and style, together creating a new unique experience,” commented Jochen Schümann. “Wally sailing is great fun: racing on the most stylish maxi yachts in very close competition is always a tough challenge and unbeatable experience. Added to this is the very special location of Portofino which brings another dimension to the Nespresso Cup.”

After a winter of training in the harsh North Atlantic conditions at Port La Foret in Brittany, Samantha Davies also expressed her excitement at attending the Nespresso Cup: “I am really excited to finally get to sail on the Wally Yachts at the Nespresso Cup. I have longingly watched these beautiful yachts sail next to me for years - now but this will be my first opportunity to step on board and experience the luxury, power and class. It will be great to meet the crews of these boats, and the engineering side of me can’t wait to see the intricate design and mechanics. It is always a pleasure to sail with top level crews on amazing boats, and I am sure that I will also learn a lot from the experience – things that I can apply to my solo offshore racing.”

The Nespresso Cup will be hosted by the Yacht Club Italiano, which is also responsible for the race management of the event. The YCI was founded in 1879 and is one of the oldest Yacht Clubs in the Mediterranean. It runs the prestigious annual Giraglia Cup jointly with the Yacht Club de France and Société Nautique de Saint Tropez, and has been home to the Luna Rossa America’s Cup challenge, fronted by Francesco De Angelis.